Malawian Presbyterianism: Are We Standing or Falling like PCUSA?

Last Thursday, (June 19, 2014), the Presbyterian Church of United States of America (PCUSA) passed a resolution to allow gays or lesbians to marry in church. Now, this has shocked some but I am not really shocked. Why? Because this is just one of the fruits of steps that were taken many years ago beginning from 1920s.

PCUSA through the Auburn Affirmation in 1920s rejected that the Bible is without error (inerrancy of Scripture), the virgin birth of Jesus and his deity, that Christ died on behalf of sinners (substitutionary atonement), bodily resurrection of Christ and authenticity of Christ’s miracles. Jesus’ miracles were said to be myths. The Auburn Confession also declared that Presbyterians in PCUSA must:

This declaration led to many things like increased focus on social justice to the extent that salvation, in some cases, is viewed as a mere liberation from poverty and social injustice. This focus on social justice and human rights also led to less emphasis in following the Bible when it comes to the ordination of who is to be a deacon, an elder or a pastor in the church as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.

From 1990s to date, PCUSA among other things has accepted that gays or lesbians can be members of the church, pastors and elders or deacons and a few days ago it has accepted that gays or lesbians can officially marry in church. Marriage is now no longer between a man and a woman but between “two people.”

Now, we might look at PCUSA and think, “That’s America, it will never happen to the Presbyterianism in Malawi. But “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall,” (1 Cor. 10:12). The Presbyterian Church in Malawi partners with PCUSA in a number of areas. A good number of PCUSA congregations also have exchange visits with Presbyterian congregations in Malawi.

I wonder and fear if PCUSA will not influence our Presbyterian church or if it has not already influenced it somehow knowing that bad company corrupts good character (1 Cor. 15:33). These are my concerns and fears. I believe that all of us including our leaders should ponder on these things lest some years from now, we will also find ourselves in the same place where PCUSA is now.

Thanks for reading. May the Good Lord bless you as you reflect on this post and search the Scriptures to ascertain if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

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2 thoughts on “Malawian Presbyterianism: Are We Standing or Falling like PCUSA?”

While our Presbyterian denomination this week voted in the annual General Assembly to redefine marriage from being between a man and a woman to “two persons,” and voted to allow individual congregations to choose whether to marry same-sex couples, our church–Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles–is committed to uphold Biblical principles, including marriage between a man and woman. While we considered the option to leave the denomination, we have chosen to remain and be “salt and light” to the rest of our brothers and sisters in the denomination.

Thanks my brother Derrick. I know indeed the challenge that those who want to remain faithful to the teaching of Scripture face when a denomination departs from the Bible’s teaching. One option is to leave while the other is to remain and trust God to bringing the needed change. Both of these are not easy decisions, but with prayer and searching the Scripture to discern God’s will, a congregation might arrive at a right decision. I will be praying for your congregation. I praise God that by His grace your congregations is seeking to uphold the teaching of the Bible. To Him alone be the glory.